IDP Sleepers - Week 12

Posted 11/19 by Anthony Borbely, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

This article is a weekly look at players generally ranked around the edge of those considered "startable". For the purposes of this article, I will define startable as all players on the edge of starting on a team that starts 2 DL, 2 LBs, and 2 DBs. Therefore, about the middle of DL2, LB2 and DB2 range are usually where the choices begin to get tough. Each position is covered in descending order beginning with the players who have the most prime matchups to those with more risk and less upside to those who are complete reaches. Your mileage may vary, but the idea is to discuss these players and provide you with some analysis that might help you make those difficult lineup decisions a bit easier. I hope that your expertise as an owner has filled your team with enough players that you don't need to consider players outside of the prime cuts discussed here. Good luck and always keep in mind that your feedback and comments are welcome. I also want to thank and give credit to Bob Henry for creating the format for this article.

Defensive Linemen

Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)

Adewale Ogunleye, Chicago Bears: Ogunleye has been in hibernation this year with regards to his sack numbers, but he has had four solos or more in half his games. This week, Ogunleye faces the struggling St. Louis Rams offense. The Rams have had a hard time protecting Marc Bulger, allowing 32 sacks and numerous QB pressures. Ogunleye has a solid history and despite low sack numbers this year, his matchup and high tackle numbers make him a solid sleeper. There are not a lot of quality DL sleepers this week.

Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)

Will Smith, New Orleans Saints: Smith is another DL with a history of strong numbers who has struggled in 2008, but in a week like this with very few options, it's not a bad idea to take a player with a solid past. Smith has never been an elite pass rusher, but he got enough pressure on QBs to put up solid numbers and he has always been a very good run defender. His matchup with the Packers is above average and the Saints defense is bad enough to allow Smith plenty of opportunities.
Darryl Tapp, Seattle Seahawks: After not registering a sack in his first seven games, Tapp has had two in his last three games. Tapp also has had 26 solos in his last seven games after only having three in his first three games. This week Tapp faces a Redskins team that has allowed 18 sacks in their last five games. Seattle is last in the NFL in time of possession and their defense has been ravaged by injuries. Tapp has a solid matchup from a pass rushing point of view and there is a wide disparity between the two teams in time of possession, Tapp should have numerous opportunities in all facets of the defense this week.

Solid Reach (backup / situational player with upside)

Robert Geathers, Cincinnati Bengals: Geathers has quietly put up solid fantasy numbers this year, ranking just outside the top 30 defensive linemen. He only had a half a sack in his first eight games, but has rebounded nicely with a sack in the last two games. Geathers faces the Steelers this week and much like Tapp, Geathers should be on the field a lot as there is a big difference in time of possession between the two teams. Ben Roethlisberger has been beaten up this year as the Steelers have really struggled to protect him. Geathers makes for a solid play this week
Jay Ratliff, Dallas Cowboys: Ratliff has vaulted into the top 20 DL after a solid five-solo/two-sack effort against the Redskins last week. This week, Ratliff faces the 49ers, a team that has allowed 36 sacks this year. However, the Niners benched starting QB J.T. O'Sullivan in favor of Shaun Hill and that coincided with a drastic reduction in sacks allowed. That is the only reason Ratliff is not a slot higher in the sleeper list this week, but he still has a solid matchup.

If you're desperate (worth a look in deeper leagues)

Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers: Keisel is a solid NFL player and he is a great fit in the Steelers 3-4 defense. He does not put up big sack numbers, but his tackle numbers are respectable. This week he faces a Bengals team with a banged up offensive line that has struggled all year even when healthy. Keisel is rarely worth starting in fantasy leagues, but if you are in need, he has a great matchup and could be a solid one week stopgap.

Linebackers

Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)

Lofa Tatupu, Seattle Seahawks: After a lackluster start partially due to injuries, Tatupu has come on strong, racking up 17 solos in the last two games. This week, he has a great matchup with the Redskins, a team that has allowed 10 or more tackles to eight different inside LBs this year. Tatupu is a must start this week.
Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins: Crowder has had a very consistent fantasy season and is currently a top 25 LB. In five of his last six games, Crowder has racked up double-digit fantasy points. This week Crowder has a great matchup with the Patriots. In the last three games against the Patriots, inside LBs have put up big numbers against them, including a 14 solo tackle effort last week by Eric Barton. Crowder should be in your lineups this week.

Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)

Eric Barton, New York Jets: Barton has really stepped up his game since the injury to David Harris, racking up 29 solos in his last three games. This week, the Jets face a run happy Tennessee team that is looking to continue its unbeaten season. The Jets have a very good run defense and this will be a stern test for the Titans rushing attack. The only reason Barton is not a prime cut is because the Jets run defense is good enough to force the Titans to throw the ball more than they would like, which would limit Barton's opportunities in run defense. He still has a fine matchup and is a solid play this week.
Dhani Jones, Cincinnati Bengals: Jones began the season with a bang, racking up 40 solos in his first six games, but he has really tailed off since with only nine in the last four games. He did play much better last week and looked more active, which could bode well for him in week 10 when he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jones will see a lot of the Pittsburgh running game and should be on the field upwards of 35 minutes. This game has the makings of a blowout and the Steelers should be able to run the ball throughout the game. Even though Jones has seen his numbers decline of late, his matchup is good enough to make him a viable sleeper this week.

Solid Reach (backup / situational player with upside)

Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee Titans: Tulloch has averaged almost five solos in his last seven games despite being a two-down LB. This week, Tulloch has a solid matchup against the Jets, who have allowed an inside LB seven or more tackles in seven of their ten games this year. Tulloch is not a great start because of his two-down status, but he has a very good matchup and you could do a lot worse if you are looking for a sleeper this week.

If you're desperate (worth a look in deeper leagues)

Daryl Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Vikings are a great matchup for MLBs with their Adrian Peterson led rushing attack. But that is really the only reason to play Daryl Smith because he simply does not put up good fantasy numbers. But sometimes, we get desperate and have to dig deep for a sleeper candidate. If that is the case, an average LB like Smith who has a great matchup is not the worst choice in the world.

Defensive Backs

Prime Cut (Great matchup, strong sleeper)

Michael Lewis, San Francisco 49ers: Lewis has had an up and down season, but he has a great matchup against the Cowboys this week. The Cowboys allowed below average numbers to safeties when Brad Johnson started, but have given up solid numbers to safeties in Tony Romo's starts. Lewis should see a lot of Marion Barber this week and he should be in your lineups.

Worth a Gamble (Good matchup, solid sleeper)

Quintin Mikell, Philadelphia Eagles: Mikell has slowed down some after a great start, but he is still ranked in the top 20 DBs. The Eagles face the Ravens and they are one of the leagues best matchups for safeties. In eight of their ten games, a safety has had seven or more tackles against the Ravens. Mikell should see a lot of the Ravens rushing attack this week and he makes for a great start. Mikell would be considered a prime cut, but he has slowed down and there is some risk with him.
Chris Johnson, Oakland Raiders: Johnson racked up nine solos last week and he has seen increased playing time since the Raiders cut DeAngelo Hall a couple of weeks ago. Opposing QBs rarely throw the ball anywhere near stud CB Nnamdi Asomugha, so the other Oakland CB sees a lot of action in the passing game. Johnson faces the Broncos this week and they have turned into a passing team because of injuries to their RBs. Johnson should be able to have a solid game as he will be in the middle of the action in both run and pass defense.
Leigh Bodden, Detroit Lions: Bodden got off to a slow start this year, but he has quietly made his way into the mid DB3 range. Bodden has averaged almost 11 fantasy points per game over the last seven weeks. This week, Bodden faces the Buccaneers and they have given up big numbers to CBS this year. Considering how bad the Lions defense is, Bodden should be on the field a lot this week and that should make him a solid play.

Solid Reach (backup / situational player with upside)

Atari Bigby, Green Bay Packers: Bigby has a solid matchup, but I hesitate to make him any more than a solid reach this week due to health concerns. Check his status this week and if he practices fully, go ahead and stick him in your lineups. He should be rounding into form soon, but until he sees an increase in playing time, it is tough to recommend him as a starter.

If you're desperate (worth a look in deeper leagues)

Ken Hamlin, Dallas Cowboys: Hamlin has not done a whole lot this year, but he does have a great matchup against the pass happy 49ers. All I can say is this category uses the word "desperate". If you are in dire need for a sleeper to start, you certainly could do a lot worse than Hamlin.